The Eavesdropping God: What if Your Desires Matter?

“Because I Said So!”

You’ve doubtless heard those words from a parent, coach, or other authority figures. You were given your orders. You wanted to know why and the authoritative answer was: Because I said so!

Many believers carry this kind of understanding into discerning God’s will.

And there is an element of truth to it. After all, He is God—and we are not. If anybody should exercise the right to control our lives, it would be the Creator. Right?

Well, yes and no.

“Get Thee Hence”

One aspect of divine guidance is what I call, “Get thee hence.”

Take Abraham for instance. God approaches Abe and says: “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” (Gen. 12:1)

Abe is given a charge, not a choice. God said it, and that was it. Further explanation would be given, but not until later. Abe’s responsibility? Obedience. God speaks, Abe obeys.

This method of divine guidance is still relevant today because God is God and He reserves the right to call the shots, no questions asked.

But for a long time I didn’t know there was any other kind of divine guidance. God can’t trust me to make any big decisions, can He? He’s so smart, and I’m so—not smart.

When God Eavesdrops

A few years ago on my way to an appointment to nail down details on a new opportunity, I heard God whisper:

Do you know why I opened up [this opportunity] to you?

Caught flat-footed by His question, I fumbled for the right answer till He interrupted:

Because you dreamed it.

Amazing. The God of the universe has every right to tell me what to do, yet sometimes chooses to make Himself vulnerable to my desires!

The Most FAQ of Believers

After a church service, a young lady in her early 20s asked if I would pray for her.

With a desperate tone, she said, “I just need to know what God wants me to do with my life.”

I agreed to pray, but first I wanted to ask her a question: What would you do with your life if, a) Money were no object, b) You had ten times the courage you have right now, and c) You knew you couldn’t fail?

Before I could finish my question, tears were rolling down her face. Smiling through her tears she answered, “Reach unreached people groups.”

I said, “Well I can still pray—and I will. But I think you already have your answer.”

They say a fish discovers water last. Often the elusive thing called “God’s will” is hiding in plain sight—within the desires, God has placed inside us.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

What if all this time you’ve been waiting on God, God has been waiting on you? What if He’s been eavesdropping on your desires?!